Choi Kyoung-joo Finishes In Top 10 for the Fourth Time This Year

Choi Kyoung-joo (Superior, Taylormade) finished in the top 10 for the fourth time this season.

The fourth round of the U.S. PGA tour’s HP Classic was held at English Turn CC (par 72) in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 4. Choi was listed co-7th with a 16 under par and 272 strokes in total by hitting a 3 under par with 4 birdies and 1 bogey. It was his fourth top 10 finish after the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-am, Ford Championship and Masters.

Choi scored in the 60’s (67-68-68-69) in every round, displaying his consistency. The average distance of driver shot (285 yards, 20th place), average putting per round (26.8, 15th place) and greens in regulation (70.8 percent, 19th place) were all within the top 20. He captured 23 birdies and made seven bogeys.

Earning $158,950, Choi has won $1,198,451 this season to place 16th in prize ranking, jumping from 22nd last week. He has gained over $100,000 per tournament with $1,190,000 over 11 tournaments.

“Black Pearl” Vijay Singh (Fiji) put the hammer down on the back nine holes with a 7 under par with 5 birdies and an eagle, and reduced his score by nine strokes in a day to make 22 under par and 266 strokes, beating Phil Mickelson and Joe Ogilvie (U.S.) by one stroke and capturing his third win of the season. He is now placing first in most wins and prize money. (4,267,886 dollars)

In the final round held Monday because of a rain delay, he won the championship for the fourth time to give him a nickname, “Monday man.”

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com